Parallel semicontinuous or continuous reactors

Abstract

Parallel semi-continuous or continuous reactors are disclosed. The parallel reactors preferably comprise four or more reaction vessels. The reaction vessels are preferably small volume reaction vessels, preferably pressure reaction vessels, and/or preferably integral with a common reactor block. The reaction vessels can comprise shaft-driven stirrers. At least two, preferably at least three or at least four liquid feed lines can provide selective fluid communication between each of the reaction vessels and one or more liquid reagent sources. Additional features, suitable in connection with parallel reactors or with single reaction vessels are also disclosed.

Description

[0001]The present invention is directed to parallel reactors, and in particular, to parallel research reactors suitable for use in a combinatorial (i.e., high-throughput) materials science research program. The invention is directed, in particular, to parallel semicontinuous or continuous reactors, and in preferred embodiments, to parallel semicontinuous or continuous stirred reactors. The invention is also directed to methods of using such parallel reactors for synthesis and / or screening of materials or process conditions, to methods for synthesizing combinatorial libraries of materials, and to methods for screening combinatorial libraries of materials, such as catalysts.BACKGROUND[0002]The present invention is related to the following co-owned, U.S. patent applications, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes: U.S. Ser. No. 60 / 255,716 filed Dec. 14, 2000 by Safir et al., entitled “Parallel Semicontinuous or Continuous Stirred Reactors”; U.S. Ser. No. 60 / ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008]It is therefore an object of the present invention to overcome the deficiencies of known parallel reactors, and especially known parallel research reactors. In particular, it is an object of the invention to provide apparatus, methodologies, and software (or firmware) tha

Problems solved by technology

Although such parallel reactors can be advantageously applied for many polymer research applications (synthesis or screening of materials), the disclosed reactor systems have only limited capabilities for providing multiple reactants to the reaction vessel during the reaction.

These parallel research reactors and other instruments are not, however, generally useful for polymerization research—typically involving higher temperatures, higher pressures and/or in some cases, non-aqueous solvents Moreover, such reactors have limited feed capability during the reaction, and as such, are not generally adaptable for semi-continuous operation with multiple feed streams.

In addition to the aforementioned limitations associated with particular designs, known parallel reactor designs generally suffer from common deficiencies—particularly with respect to applications for polymer research or other applications.

In general, known designs are substantially limited with respect to operational flexibility, and do not generally offer higher numbers of feed lines p

Images